Having a roof over their heads is all some families yearn for during the holidays. Good Shepherd Alliance in Loudoun County provides that and so much more for homeless families struggling to stabilize their lives. This year, the families residing in Good Shepherd’s Hebron Women and Families shelter will celebrate the holidays under a new roof. That’s because Good Shepherd is the beneficiary of DryHome Roofing and Siding’s annual Free Roof for the Holidays program.
As the recession takes its toll on families, Sterling-based DryHome continued its Free Roof for the Holidays program. For the seventh year, DryHome accepted nominations from customers and the community to identify a Northern Virginia individual, family or nonprofit in need. Receiving a record number of nominations, DryHome selected Good Shepherd Alliance, a nonprofit that serves Loudoun County’s homeless, as the recipient based on the severity of its needs and the poor condition of its roof.
“We feel fortunate to be able to continue our tradition of giving this holiday season and want to thank all who took the time to nominate someone in need. Reflecting on these difficult times, we received many worthy and heartfelt nominations. By choosing Good Shepherd, we knew our work would touch many families’ lives for many years to come,” said Steve Gotschi, DryHome’s owner.
Good Shepherd Alliance’s executive director, Vickie Koth, nominated the nonprofit, describing the very leaky roof of its women and children’s shelter, the important services that Good Shepherd provides to families in need, as well as the fiscal realities facing so many nonprofits today.
“Every day, Good Shepherd provides emergency shelter and services to men, women, and families throughout our community who have nowhere to sleep,” explained Koth. “Maintaining our facilities is a great expense, so we are so thankful that DryHome selected us to receive a free roof for our shelter. This wonderful gift ensures that our funding will help more families live under a roof.”
The Good Shepherd Alliance has been providing emergency housing and near-term support for Loudoun County’s homeless since 1983. While the basic needs for emergency food, clothing, and shelter are addressed, Good Shepherd also assists women and families in resolving their homelessness, stabilizing their living situations, and empowering them to become self-sufficient.
Its emergency homeless program provides short-term shelter to families, women, and children who are temporarily homeless and in need of assistance and referrals to local community services. On a typical day, Good Shepherd houses approximately 32 people in safe, comfortable homes. One of these homes, the Hebron Shelter for Women and Children, is receiving the new roof. Hebron serves up to 20 women and children a day. Residents participate in Good Shepherd’s Six Steps to Self-Sufficiency, an intensive case-management program that helps families in crisis regain self-sufficiency.
Good Shepherd is a repeat beneficiary, having received a free roof several years ago for another one of its shelters. Last year’s Free Roof for the Holidays program also benefited homeless families when Reston Interfaith, another outstanding local nonprofit, received a free roof for one of its townhomes used for transitional housing.
Other winners over the years have included: Falls Church Cub Scout House; Gabriel Homes, a nonprofit that serves adults with developmental disabilities; Mrs. Caylor, a Leesburg resident and volunteer; and Bernie Cline, an elderly Alexandria resident in desperate need of a roof replacement.
“This is always a humbling experience for our team. We are honored to be able to help those less fortunate enjoy the holidays with a safe roof over their heads,” added Gotschi. “We hope that 2010 brings health, happiness, and prosperity to everyone in our community.”
